The night one trailblazing New Yorker claimed the Miss America crown was meant to be a celebration of talent and perseverance, but it quickly became a test of resilience when the spotlight turned critical. Cassie Donegan, a 28-year-old songbird from the Big Apple, was radiant when she was crowned Miss America 2026 on Sunday, September 7, at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida — but just hours after her emotional win, she found herself at the center of a firestorm over her controversial makeup look. From Standing Ovation to Social Condemnation"Makeup artist didn't want her to win," one critic sneered online, sparking a chorus of digital outrage. Another agreed, writing, "Her makeup artist is the only problem yall, she's beautiful sic." Donegan, who beat out 52 fierce contestants fro
Miss America 2026 Faces Criticism for Her Pageant Makeup

127